Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
7 comments 
New Technologies May Emerge in Various Sectors with Cobalt Exploration. Understand the Importance of “Blue Gold” and How Brazil Stands Out in This Market.
Known as “blue gold”, cobalt plays an essential role in the modern world. From the creation of new technologies to the transition to clean energy. Cobalt is within lithium batteries and is a key element in them. Additionally, it is also used to make airbags, diamond tools, paints, high-speed steel, magnets, and much more. There are various applications, both commercial and industrial and military.
Demand for Cobalt Grows Rapidly
The demand for cobalt has grown intensively in recent years. According to statistics, the demand, which was 71,000 tons in 2017, is expected to reach 222,000 tons by 2025, mainly due to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles and the global transition to “cleaner” energy sources.
The European Union aims to end the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2035. This means more electric cars, which means a demand for more cobalt for the advancement of technologies. The global demand for cobalt in the electric vehicle market increased by 60% just in 2022. Cobalt is strategic for the future of low-carbon economies.
-
Brazilian scientists use high-frequency ultrasound to burst Covid-19 and H1N1 viruses without damaging human cells and point to a path for new treatments against dengue and zika.
-
Scientists find a super-reservoir of 6,000 km³ of magma beneath Tuscany at depths of up to 15 km, paving the way to explore geothermal energy, lithium, and rare earth elements.
-
Red dots from the James Webb may reveal black holes that are relics from before the Big Bang, says a study proposing a “Great Bounce” and suggesting a connection with dark matter.
-
10-year-old girl falls in love with Minecraft, compares game stones with real minerals, and becomes the youngest Brazilian to publish a scientific article.
This situation would not be a problem if the mining process of “blue gold” were not so controversial due to issues related to pollution, labor akin to slavery, and the exploitation of minors. And there is still an irreparable problem: the demand is growing, but the resource is finite.
Although the world still has significant quantities of known oil reserves, these reserves are continuously discovered, explored, and refined to meet the global energy demand. In this issue with cobalt, Brazil can help, as it has large reserves.
Companies Plan to Invest in Brazil for Cobalt Exploration
Recently, Brazil has stood out as an important player in the global cobalt market. Geological studies have revealed the presence of large deposits of ‘blue gold’ in several regions of the country. These discoveries are transforming us into an alternative source of the metal, giving some hope to those concerned about the limited reserves that may impact technologies.
In 2023, the U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, José Fernandez, announced that the country intends to invest in some sectors in Brazil, including the extraction of critical minerals such as cobalt. According to Fernandez, expanding the exploration of the metal here is one of the objectives of the administration of Joe Biden, since 80% of it is concentrated in autocracies like China.
China is also a concern for the United States regarding cobalt. The dominant position the Asian country has established in the supply of this mineral leaves many countries at its mercy, which may pose a significant threat to the competitiveness of the American industry.
In Brazil, China already has two electric car manufacturers established: BYD and Great Wall Motors. However, the United States does not waste time, and TechMet is one of the Brazilian companies that has already received American funding.
The company, located in the interior of Piauí, received an investment of 25 million dollars from the U.S. government agency Development Finance Corporation in 2020 for the exploration of nickel and cobalt, which can generate new technologies.
Understand How Brazil Can Contribute to the ‘Blue Gold’ Rush
According to Secretary José Fernandez, Brazil has large reserves of critical minerals; it just lacks the capital for exploration. He also stated that the United States is ready to encourage Brazilian companies that work responsibly, respecting labor rights and the environment.
In 2023, the British company Brazilian Nickel announced an investment plan of 6 billion dollars for the development of a nickel and cobalt project in Piauí.
Today, the company has a unit in another region of the state, where it produces 600 tons of nickel per month. But the idea is that the new facility will produce 25,000 tons of nickel per year starting in 2026, and 800 tons of cobalt per year starting in 2027.
The Australian company Jervois Global also plans to invest in Brazil. The company’s efforts are focused on reopening an existing refinery located in São Miguel Paulista, São Paulo. The idea is that, initially, the refinery will produce 10,000 metric tons per year of nickel and 2,000 tons of blue gold. In other words, Brazil has great potential to help supply the demand for cobalt in the coming years.
…MTO LOUCO…! #DA HORA!
É realmente uma tristeza o país ser grande fornecedor de matéria prima no lugar de fornecer produtos acabados com valor agregado. O que ganhamos com isso? Muito pouco em relação do que ganharíamos se tivéssemos uma forte indústria de transformação. Quando esses recursos acabarem estaremos fritos e pobres e dependentes de quem preservou seus recursos naturais… Acorda Brasil!!!!
Como sempre o Brasil é usado por outros países para extração de minérios, e isso acontece desde sempre. O que é do Brasil deveria ficar aqui, e ser explorado conscientemente, com responsabilidade, respeitando os direitos trabalhistas e o meio ambiente. O que o Brasil precisa é ter coragem de tomar conta do que tem e investir aqui mesmo na extração e com isso desenvolver tecnologias BRASILEIRAS, e não ficar à mercê de outros países como sempre acontece. o Brasil precisa deixar de ser uma “mina” para os outros países, principalmente os USA, e começar a investir em empresas tecnológicas, garantindo assim um futuro mais promissor para a população. O Brasil é riquíssimo em minérios, precisamos proteger o que é nosso e não ficar “ajudando” os outros países até que eles esgotem nossos recursos.
Nosso presidente deveriá tomar vergonha,e criar uma estatal brasileira para explora esses recursos e aperfeiçoar sua tecnologia.
Para que não sejamos mais colônias de nenhum país.
Meu amigo, fazer estatal demora, ele quer vende pra fora, porque é mais rápido pra colocar no bolso